The International Carbon Footprint Challenge Footprint classroom assignment All human beings contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Every time we turn on a light, travel by car, switch on a TV, or use anything that requires energy, we are responsible for producing greenhouse gases. But being part of the problem means also being part of the solution. At home, at school, and in shops, there are many things we can do to reduce our carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions - and save energy and money at the same time! Before thinking about efficient ways to reduce our impact on the planet, we need to know how much our different behaviors impact our carbon footprint. Go to http://footprint.stanford.edu/calculate.htmland answer the questions. The questionnaire is divided into 4 parts: transportation, home energy and appliances, food, personal purchases. Answer the questions as honestly as possible and keep an eye on your amount of CO2 release per year at the bottom of the screen as you continue. You may be alarmed at times by the results! Answer the questions below to reflect on your CO2 emissions and to think about how to be a more responsible global citizen. Introduction 1. Do you have any idea why you need to select the country you live in? Do you know how your location can impact your carbon footprint? As you go through each section (transportation, home, food, purchases) fill in the appropriate box in each question. When you complete a section return to this page to fill in the boxes for the next section. Continue until you have filled in all of the boxes 2. What is the total amount of CO2 released because of your... transportation? home energy etc.? food? purchases? 3. Do you find your these amounts low, average or high? Explain why. (i.e. for transportation, high because I fly a lot since my family lives on the other side of the world and I need to visit them at least twice a year). TRANSPORTATION HOME FOOD PURCHASES 4. Observing the measurement bar or using the CO2 button at the upper left part of the page, which behavior in each category contributes the most to your CO2 emissions for that category? Did this surprise you? TRANSPORTATION HOME FOOD PURCHASES 5. What actions (if any) are you REALLY ready to take in order to decrease your carbon footprint in each of these categories? TRANSPORTATION HOME FOOD PURCHASES In conclusion 6. If you could make recommendations to your city officials, what alternatives would you recommend for “greener” policies that the local community could promote? 7. What can students in your school do to alleviate the school’s collective carbon footprint? 8. What can your teachers and administrators do to help improve the school’s carbon
footprint?
Footprint classroom assignment
All human beings contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Every time we turn on a
light, travel by car, switch on a TV, or use anything that requires energy, we are responsible
for producing greenhouse gases.
But being part of the problem means also being part of the solution. At home, at school, and in
shops, there are many things we can do to reduce our carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions - and
save energy and money at the same time!
Before thinking about efficient ways to reduce our impact on the planet, we need to know how
much our different behaviors impact our carbon footprint.
Go to http://footprint.stanford.edu/calculate.html and answer the questions. The
questionnaire is divided into 4 parts: transportation, home energy and appliances, food,
personal purchases.
Answer the questions as honestly as possible and keep an eye on your amount of CO2 release
per year at the bottom of the screen as you continue. You may be alarmed at times by the
results! Answer the questions below to reflect on your CO2 emissions and to think about how
to be a more responsible global citizen.
Introduction
1. Do you have any idea why you need to select the country you live in? Do you know how your
location can impact your carbon footprint?
As you go through each section (transportation, home, food, purchases) fill in the
appropriate box in each question. When you complete a section return to this page to fill in
the boxes for the next section. Continue until you have filled in all of the boxes
2. What is the total amount of CO2 released because of your...
transportation?
home energy etc.?
food?
purchases?
3. Do you find your these amounts low, average or high? Explain why.
(i.e. for transportation, high because I fly a lot since my family lives on the other side of the world
and I need to visit them at least twice a year).
TRANSPORTATION HOME
FOOD PURCHASES
4. Observing the measurement bar or using the CO2 button at the upper left part of the page,
which behavior in each category contributes the most to your CO2 emissions for that
category? Did this surprise you?
TRANSPORTATION HOME
FOOD PURCHASES
5. What actions (if any) are you REALLY ready to take in order to decrease your carbon
footprint in each of these categories?
TRANSPORTATION HOME
FOOD PURCHASES
In conclusion
6. If you could make recommendations to your city officials, what alternatives would you
recommend for “greener” policies that the local community could promote?
7. What can students in your school do to alleviate the school’s collective carbon footprint?
8. What can your teachers and administrators do to help improve the school’s carbon
footprint?